Side-by-side comparison

Cambridge vs San Jose

Cost of living comparison for Cambridge, Massachusetts and San Jose, California.

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 33% more expensive than Cambridge. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $4,391/mo in Cambridge.

Rent in Cambridge vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Cambridge · Studio

$1,669

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $939 (56%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 1 bedroom

$1,745

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,230 (70%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 2 bedroom

$2,269

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,177 (52%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · 3 bedroom

$2,504

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $1,973 (79%) higher than Cambridge

Income & earnings in Cambridge vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Cambridge · Household income

$126,779

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $32,895 (26%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Individual earnings

$66,124

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $7,906 (12%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Per capita

$67,471

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $9,547 (14%) higher than Cambridge

Home values in Cambridge vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Cambridge · Average home value

$687,200

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $695,600 (101%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Annual property tax

$7,240

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $2,526 (35%) higher than Cambridge

Energy in Cambridge vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Cambridge · Monthly electricity

$172

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Cambridge is $5 (3%) higher than San Jose

Cambridge · Monthly gas

$74

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Cambridge is $24 (48%) higher than San Jose

Cambridge · Annual total

$2,952

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Cambridge is $348 (13%) higher than San Jose

Healthcare in Cambridge vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Cambridge · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Cambridge and San Jose are about the same

Cambridge · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Cambridge and San Jose are about the same

Cambridge · Uninsured rate

2.4%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

San Jose is 1.6% (67%) higher than Cambridge

Taxes in Cambridge vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Cambridge · State income tax

5.0%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

San Jose is 8.3% (166%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · State sales tax

6.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

San Jose is 1.0% (16%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Combined sales tax

6.3%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose is 2.6% (42%) higher than Cambridge

Transportation in Cambridge vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Cambridge · Average commute

30.0 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Cambridge is 3.0 min (11%) higher than San Jose

Cambridge · Drive alone

56.0%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 5.7% (10%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Public transit

8.0%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Cambridge is 5.3% (196%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Cambridge vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Cambridge · Single person

$4,391

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $1,432 (33%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Couple

$6,782

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $2,410 (36%) higher than Cambridge

Cambridge · Family

$9,217

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $3,213 (35%) higher than Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Cambridge and San Jose.

Is Cambridge or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,391/mo in Cambridge, Massachusetts and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 33%.

What is the rent difference between Cambridge and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cambridge, Massachusetts is $1,745/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,230 (70%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Cambridge or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Cambridge households earn approximately $126,779 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Cambridge and San Jose

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Cambridge profile San Jose profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.